Pianist Laura Leon

In celebration of Australia Day 2013, filmmaker Karen Leon has created a dramatic music video Matilda Variations, that interweaves a stirring solo piano work with the colorful visionary artwork of Australian contemporary artist Ian Banksmith. Commissioned and performed by pianist Laura Leon, composer Steven Rosenhaus merged the musical styles of -among others-Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart, including a dash of tango for additional pizzazz. Matilda Variations extols the dramatic, natural splendors of Australia and can best be described as akin to an aural and visual Walkabout.

Rosenhaus' Matilda Variations, recorded by American pianist Laura Leon, has aired on Australian Broadcasting Corporations' Classic FM and Australia's award-winning Community Radio Station 4MBS. In December 2000, Laura Leon commissioned New York composer Steven Rosenhaus to compose a piano work based on "Waltzing Matilc" in honor of Australia for a concert she was invited to give at the Australian Consulate in NYC in March 2001. SInce its premiere and original recording, Matilda Variations was rereleased in 2011 with new cover and art design by Karen Leon